Clay County District Schools, Clay Education Foundation and Baptist Health collaborate to launch youth resiliency initiative

Clay County District Schools, in collaboration with the Clay Education Foundation and Baptist Health, has launched Resilient Minds, Thriving Classrooms, a district-wide initiative focused on improving youth mental health, classroom behavior, and educator well-being.

The $410,000 initiative directly supports approximately 7,400 Pre-Kindergarten (PK) through 2nd-grade students across Clay County District Schools. The program provides early support to help young learners develop emotional regulation skills while connecting local families to critical behavioral health support.

Direct Benefits to Schools and the Community

• Resilient Classroom Spaces: Every PK–2 classroom will receive dedicated sensory toolkits featuring fidgets, weighted items, flexible seating, and calming visuals to help young children regulate emotions, manage stress, and stay focused on instruction.
• Teacher Wellness Supports: Up to 100 local educators will participate in the research-backed Educators Thriving Well-Being Series, providing practical strategies to reduce burnout and maintain healthy, positive learning environments.
• Free Family Mental Health Guides: The Clay Education Foundation will distribute 10,000 Parent Mental Health Resource Guides countywide, alongside Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Common Thread mental health support materials, giving families clear guidance on child development, warning signs, and local behavioral health services.
• Community-Wide Network: Resources will be distributed through a network of 25 community partners, including local pediatric offices, libraries, and faith organizations, ensuring families can access support outside of school hours.

"Early elementary school is a crucial window for children to learn self-awareness and self-management skills," said Carolyn Krall, president and CEO of the Clay Education Foundation. "By putting practical tools directly into classrooms and getting resource guides into the hands of parents, this partnership ensures our entire community is working together to help our children thrive."

“At Baptist Health, we believe that support for a child’s mental health should begin long before they enter a clinical setting,” said Katie Ensign, vice president of Community Impact for Baptist Health. “By collaborating with Clay County District Schools and the Clay Education Foundation, we are helping equip young students with the skills they need to manage emotions, build resilience, and thrive in the classroom. This investment reflects our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our communities by supporting children, educators, and families where they learn and grow every day.”

To access digital family resources or learn more about the initiative, visit clayeducationfoundation.org.